SPECIAL MEETING
MINUTES

NSD Business Office
1326 W. Highway 92 #12
Bisbee, AZ 85603

January 25, 2024

Minutes

The meeting was called to order at 6:06 PM. Present at Roll Call were Stephen Dey, Charles Behney, Jesus Guerrero, Angelica Coronado and Andrew Foster.

Mr. Dey then orally gave his Chair’s Report. Mr. Dey related that earlier on January 25, he and Mr. Behney spent six hours with Alexis Ramanjulu of KGUN news for a series on groundwater in Arizona. Mr. Behney spoke about how Ms. Ana-Gonzalez-Gomez of the Western Environmental Science Technical Assistance Center for Environmental Justice (WEST EJ Center) had asked for information from a Federal Officer regarding Naco, and our legal issues. Mr. Dey then read this from Ms. Gonzalez-Gomez:

This is great news! Thanks so much for keeping us updated. I spoke with Paula Flores-Gregg yesterday, the Designated Federal Officer (DFO) of EPA’s National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC), about Naco and what you are currently working on. She asked that I send all the info I have to her, and she will make sure to bring up Naco in her talks with her colleagues and bosses. Is it alright with you if I send her all the information you have shared with me?

And congratulations on sending that SEARCH grant through! Let me know if you would like any help with this next grant you are working on- whether it be preparing the application, proof reading, etc.!

Best,

Ana Gonzalez-Gomez

Discussion and action regarding the Pierce Coleman Law Firm Letter of Engagement for General Municipal Matters was short since the earlier work session and the offer from Mr. Jon Paladini was fair and thorough. A motion was made by Mr. Dey to approve the Letter of Engagement without any changes, and was seconded by Mr. Behney. A roll call vote was taken, and the motion passed unanimously.

Next on the agenda, was discussion and action regarding the site manager position and hiring. A notice was published for this position in the Bisbee Observer on December 22, 2023. Mr. Chris Willhoite has done work and repair onsite since last year and was the only applicant. A motion was made by Mr. Dey to hire Mr. Willhoite for site manager, seconded by Mr Foster, and a roll call vote was taken. The motion passed unanimously.

Old Business

The board then discussed the Minutes for November 3, 2023 as written. A motion was made to approve the minutes by Mr. Dey, and seconded by Mr. Behney. The motion was unanimous.

Next, the board discussed the Work Session Minutes for December 1, 2023. A motion was made to approve the minutes by Mr. Dey, and seconded by Mr. Behney. The motion was unanimous.

Next, the board discussed the Work Session Minutes for January 5, 2024 as written. A motion was made to approve the minutes by Mr. Dey, and seconded by Mr. Behney. The motion was unanimous.

Discussion status of attorneys, grants and task force requests was struck, since these topics were already discussed.

A motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Dey and seconded by Mr. Behney, which then passed with unanimity. The meeting adjourned at 6:19 PM.

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Stephen T. Dey

Naco Sanitary District Chair